Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ All Star Dreams (Ver. 3) ❯ Chapter Forty Four ( Chapter 44 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

All-Star Dreams: Chapter Forty-Four
By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki
© 2007 Bekka Mouri-Hibiki





Branslav waited outside the gym, looking at his watch. The Supernovas had taken an early practice, one he barely made after going to the hotel to find Robert. They had broke at eleven thirty for lunch then were told not to come back until it was time to get ready for the game. That was usually the way when the opposing team would be using the gym for practice.




He wasn't quite for certain when the Turquoise would be arriving so they had come back at twelve thirty. Daniel stood next to him, fidgeting. He looked over at him, " Would you stop that? "




" I can't, " Daniel shoved his hands under his arms. He was wearing a heavy black down coat, heavy blue jeans, a black knit cap, brown boots and gray leather gloves. " It's colder than a witch's tit and we've been out here for fifteen minutes. Can't we just go into the lobby and get warm just for a few minutes? "




" We're dressed for the weather, " Branslav said. He wore a heavy blue coat, a matching knit cap, a pair of black jeans, black boots and black leather gloves. " You shouldn't be too cold. "




" Well I am, " Daniel said. " I'm freezing my ass off. "




" Whatever, " Branslav waved his hand. " They should be here soon enough. "




Daniel gave Branslav a serious look, " You're just going to talk to him about the one thing right? You aren't going to tell him about the other thing? "




Branslav looked at Daniel, " Of course I won't. "




Daniel frowned, " I don't think we should be telling him anything at all. "




" I have to get some of it out, " Branslav said. He looked towards the parking lot again, " I'm going to go crazy if I don't. "




" There just too much at stake, " Daniel said. " What if Coach or Martin sees us out here talking to him. What if they think we're talking about that thing instead of the getting sent home thing? "




The sound of a bus approaching stopped Branslav from answering, both men looking towards the parking lot. They watched as the Turquoise's bus pulled to stop and the doors opened. The players started to file out, Branslav scanning the group for any sign of Robert. He made eye contact with the player from the hotel who then nudged another player Branslav recognized.




Branslav watched as the group approached, still not seeing Robert. He glanced at Daniel, " Do you see him? "




" No, " Daniel replied. " Where do you think he is? "




Branslav didn't answer. He watched the team approach, the player at the head of the pack heading for the door furthest away from Branslav and Daniel. The men filed into the gym, some shooting dirty glances towards Branslav as they did. " Why are they looking at me that way? " Branslav looked at Daniel when he caught another dirty look.




" Gee, I don't know. Maybe because you went to their hotel and asked around for their team captain then were an ass to their coach, " Daniel's voice was tainted with sarcasm.




" I wasn't an ass, " Branslav was confused by his friend's tone. " I was just asking him if he knew where Robert was. "




" Yes then you asked him again like you thought he was lying, " Daniel reminded him.




Branslav frowned, " I was trying to get him to call him. "




" Then you should have asked him to call, " Daniel said.




" I would have had to tell him why I couldn't call and it's not any of his business, " Branslav pointed out.




" Then you should have called him, " Daniel sounded frustrated.




" We're not talking, " Branslav said. " He wouldn't have answered. "




Daniel rolled his eyes, " Branslav... "




" What? " Branslav asked.




Daniel shook his head, " No. Never mind. It's pointless. "




" What's pointless? " Branslav said.




" What I was going to say, " Daniel shut his eyes and sighed. " Let's just drop it. I'm tired of going in circles. "




Branslav looked towards the bus again, " Fine. I just wonder, " Before Branslav could finish his question, it was answered. He watched as Coach Hooker got off the bus. The older man saw him then turned his head and nodded at someone still on the bus.




He watched as Coach Hooker stepped away from the doorway then Robert stepped off the bus. He was wearing his motorcycle jacket, black jeans and a gray sweater. Branslav could tell was Robert was puzzled by the expression on his face. He glanced at Coach Hooker and the two men started walking.




Coach Hooker and Robert made their way to the front entrance of the gym, walking up the steps slowly as if they were being wary. They stopped a few feet from Branslav, Robert staring at him silently for a long tense moment before saying, " I heard you were looking for me. "




Branslav nodded, " Yeah. I was. We need to talk. "




Robert arched an eyebrow, " What about? "




Branslav sighed and looked at Coach Hooker, " Could you please leave? This is between Robert and I. "




Coach Hooker looked surprised by the request then took a step back, " I'll be inside, Robert. "




" Yes sir, " Robert nodded. " I'll come in as soon as we're done out here. "




Branslav waited as Coach Hooker retreated into the gym then turned back to Robert. " I guess you're wondering why I called you out here. "




" I'm curious yes, " Robert replied. " Why have you decided to talk to me now after refusing for so long? "




Branslav ran a hand through his shaggy unkempt hair, " Because I can't keep it to myself any longer. I'm going to go crazy unless I tell someone. Since you've always been my best friend... "




Robert looked at Daniel, " Why don't you talk to him then? You're always with him. "




" Because he's involved too, " Branslav glanced at Daniel. He looked at Robert again, " Martin's threatened to kick us off the team unless we can get onto a big league team. If we don't get contracts, we're both getting sent home. "




Robert frowned, " What the fuck? Can he even do that? "




Branslav nodded, " There was some fine print on my contract, probably on Daniel's too. We have to go back home before another team can approach us. Lotte says it's completely legal. "




" I knew that asshole was fucking you two over somehow, " Robert shook his head. " That's why I told you to request a trade. You can, can't you? I mean, you're still here. "




" We can't even do that, " Branslav shook his head. " There's some fine print about not requesting a trade. We agreed to stay with the team until our contracts are up or when ever Martin decided to cut us from the team. That's how Lotte explained it to me anyway. "




" No wonder you've been so hostile, " Robert said. " You're trapped. Both of you. "



" Yeah, " Daniel nodded. " Pretty much. "




" You can't even take it to the league the way it sounds like your contracts were written, " Robert shook his head. He glanced at both men, " I guess you found all of this out when you were told about the scout then? "




" Yes, " Branslav sighed. " I suppose he was trying to get us to play well for the scout. "




Robert looked at the ground. He was starting to understand why Branslav had behaved the way he had and how come he was so adamant about getting Betty. He shook his head, " Now I think I get it. I guess I could forgive you for the way you've acted this last week or so. "




" It's okay, " Branslav said. " I've been acting like an asshole and I know it. "




Robert put his hand out, " Friends again then? "




Branslav took Robert's hand and shook it, " Yeah. Friends again. "




When Branslav let go of his hand, Robert put it out to Daniel, " Friends? "




Daniel took Robert's hand and shook it, " Friends. "




" And as my friends, I'll see what I can do for you two. I'm sure I could talk to Mr. Shaver and he could... " Robert had a plan coming together in his mind.




" No! " Daniel and Branslav shouted at the same time.



Robert furrowed his brow, " What do you mean no? I'm offering to help you guys out here. "




" I know, " Branslav said sharply. He looked at Daniel then at Robert again, " But I don't want you to say anything to anyone about this. Maybe if we really do get cut then you can but keep this under your cat for the time being. "



" Hat. It's hat Branslav, " Robert said. " I guess I could. Then if something does happen, I'll talk to Mr. Shaver about it. Deal? "




Branslav nodded though he felt apprehensive about the idea, " Deal. "




There was a long moment of silence then Robert sighed, " I guess if we're done here, I'll head inside. "




Branslav nodded then took a sharp breath, " Hold on. "



" What is it? " Robert arched an eyebrow.



" Have you heard from Betty? " Branslav asked. " I've been trying to call her but she doesn't answer. "



Robert nodded, " I called her on her land line because I couldn't get through on her cell and she's alright. She told me her phone's dead again. You don't have her home number do you? "




Branslav shook his head, " No. I don't. I was worried but I'm glad she's okay. Did she say she was still coming tonight? "




Robert nodded again. He knew why Betty was going to be there but wasn't about to let on that he knew anything else, " Yeah. She has every intention of being here. "




Branslav smiled a little, " That makes me feel a little better. Thank you. "




" Now I really got to go, " Robert looked at his watch. He felt a pang of guilt since he knew what was in store for Branslav on that front. " I need to get to practice and knock some of this rust off for tonight. "




" Okay, " Branslav nodded. " Later. "



" Later, " Robert said and headed into the gym.




Branslav turned to Daniel once Robert was gone, " She's coming tonight. "



" I heard the man, " Daniel sighed. " But the last thing you should be worried about is a girl. "




" Can't I have a sliver cloud? " Branslav frowned.



" A silver-lined cloud, " Daniel sighed.




" Yeah, " Branslav nodded. " One of those. It's something I can hang onto to keep me going. "



" Whatever man, " Daniel said. " Let's just get out of here before someone sees us here. "



**



Robert walked into the locker room, all of the guys looking at him. Some of them were concerned while some just looked at him then went back to what they were doing. Robert ignored most of the looks and went to go change. He walked over to where his stuff had been set down and opened his gym bag.



" So what did Korbel want? " Jakob's voice startled Robert. He hadn't heard him approach.



" He wanted to talk to me about something, " Robert shrugged off his jacket. " We had a disagreement before his team left on that road trip. We were just mending fences. "



" He was acting like it was such a big deal this morning, " Jakob sounded confused.



Robert pulled off his sweater, " Everything is a big deal with him. He's a bit of a dramatic person. "



" Oh, " Jakob said. " I guess I never really noticed. "



There was a silence that made Robert think Jakob had walked away so he turned to sit down so he could get his boots off. He jumped back a bit, his knees hitting the bench when he found Jakob was still there. " Damn it. I didn't know you were still behind me. "



" I just had one more question, " Jakob looked around then at Robert. " i just couldn't figure out how to ask it. "



" Then just ask it, " Robert rolled his eyes. " I really need to get dressed for practice. "



Jakob was quiet for a moment then looked at the floor, " Is Betty going to be here tonight? "



Robert nodded, " Yes. Yes she is. Why? "



" Oh, " Jakob fidgeted a little. " We... The guys and I were just wondering, that's all. "



" Okay, " Robert couldn't think of anything else to say.



Coach Hooker came into the locker room, " Would you guys please hurry up? We only have the gym until three o'clock. "



The team stared to file out, leaving Robert and Jakob behind. Robert arched an eyebrow, " You heard coach. You better get going. I'll catch up. "



" Yeah, " Jakob nodded. " I'll see you out there. "



Robert watched as Jakob left then continued to change.